What are the chances of survival of non small cell lung cancer when diagnosed at Stage 3 B?

My mother was diagnosed on March 9th 2007 with stage 3b non small cell lung cancer. She had a PET scan and they found another possible tumor in her neck. The cancer has spead into her lymph nodes and she has undergone almost 3 weeks of radiation and 1 week of chemo. Her white blood cell count is extremely low so they have terminated all treatment until they come back up. She started losing her hair on Thursday and by the end of the day it was all gone.

Here is a couple of links to staging lung cancer for non-small cell type...
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertyp...
http://www.cancerbackup.org.uk/Cancertyp...

here is another link..
http://www.cancer.org/docroot/CRI/conten...

Only your mother's oncologist can give you the best idea on a prognosis. Can they give her something like Neulasta shots to bring her white blood cell count up?

She can get a wig covered by her insurance (probably) if she has the oncologist write a prescription for a "hair prosthesis".

When I did chemo for a different type of cancer , I drank bottled water and saltine crackers and lots of bland high protein foods such as cold hard boiled eggs and Arby's or Rax plain roast beef sandwiches to help keep my blood levels up. (They gave me Neulasta shots to keep the white blood cells up too). You have to stay AHEAD of the nausea with the anti-nausea pills. Once you get sick, you don't even want to look at a pill. Immodium is good to have on hand for any diarrhea from the chemo. Ask the oncologist if this is okay before doing any of this...

Support groups are helpful to go to if she is feeling up to it. Check with the American Cancer Society near you or the oncologist's office for information on support groups. Pray...at least she has you to help her. I will say a prayer for her.

There is always hope. Much depends on the age, response to treatment, and overall health of the patient and their ability to fight the cancer.

My son was 17 and diagnosed with stage IV abdominal cancer two years ago. He is currently no evidence of disease. He had multiple tumors throughout his body, lymph node involvement, spleen, pelvis, liver, chest wall, spots on lungs, and tumors caked to his diaphragm. He responded to chemotherapy treatment and underwent three successful surgeries.

He's doing well. Incidentally, the WBC will go up and down because of the chemotherapy. It is important to try and stay on schedule as much as possible. My son used neupogen shots to boost his counts.

Stay positive. Look at all treatment options. Your mother could surprise everyone.

Be strong.

Nobody can tell you what are the chances because there are no diseases. only patients. There are people responding well to the treatment, there are people dying from another causes while receiving therapy for cancer.
Anyway she has a very severe disease and every day you have together is a miracle. So take each day as it comes and hope for a better day tomorrow
Good luck.
If you want to read more about lung cancer, you can visit my blog:
http://www.newcancerguide.com/tag/lung-c...
Cristiana

My Stepfather Died In 02 of the same Cancer. When he was first Diagnosed the Doctor told us that he would live 3 weeks to 1 year MAX. Unfortunately he lived Excactly 9 days short of 1 year. This is one of the worst forms of Cancer I have ever had to deal with. Please except my sincere condulance's. It is still very hard to except how fast it took over,and how little time I had to spend with him towards the end.